California @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 12, 2019 ) Arizona 87, California 65

These are unusual times for traditional power Arizona, which has lost seven straight games for the first time since 1982-83 and fallen into 10th place in the Pac-12 standings. The Wildcats have their best chance to end the skid Thursday against visiting California, which has dropped 14 consecutive games and trailed by as many as 31 points in last Saturday’s 89-66 loss to USC.

Arizona has struggled without freshman guard Brandon Williams, who ranks second on the team in scoring at 12 points per game but has missed the past five contests due to a knee injury and remains doubtful for Thursday’s contest. The Los Angeles native was clearly missed last Saturday against Colorado, which shot 55.8 percent and never trailed in a 67-60 win over the demoralized Wildcats. “It’s hard. And it’s particularly hard at a place like Arizona where we have such a great tradition,” coach Sean Miller told reporters. “We’re used to winning. But these are our circumstances, and I think for any player, team, coach, it’s fun to be in college basketball when things are going your way. When things aren’t going your way, that’s really the true test.” Miller is unlikely to receive any sympathy from last-place Cal, which has dropped 30 of its past 31 conference games and turned in an uninspired effort in the loss to USC.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

ABOUT CAL (5-20, 0-13 Pac-12): Sophomore forward Justice Sueing is averaging 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds over the past five games for the Bears, whose last win came against San Jose State on Dec. 21. One bright spot has been the development of freshman center Connor Vanover, who has averaged 12.4 points and 5.2 rebounds with a team-high eight blocks over the last five contests. Coach Wyking Jones is looking for similar growth from junior point guard Paris Austin, who had a total of 12 points with seven assists and six turnovers in losses to UCLA and USC last week.

ABOUT ARIZONA (14-12, 5-8): After struggling to find his role during nonconference play, senior forward Ryan Luther has emerged as a key scorer in Williams’ absence, averaging 14 points over the past three games. Junior guard Dylan Smith has also moved into the starting lineup and capitalized on the opportunity, averaging 12.4 points and three rebounds over his last five contests. Miller is exercising caution with junior center Chase Jeter, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury suffered last month and had 10 points and eight rebounds in Saturday’s loss to Colorado.

TIP-INS

1. Arizona has won nine of the last 10 meetings against Cal and holds a 63-31 lead in the series.

2. Sueing scored a career-high 27 points in Cal’s 87-65 loss to Arizona on Jan. 12.

3. Arizona is 92-7 at home since the start of the 2013-14 season – including 10-4 this season.

PREDICTION: Arizona 79, Cal 66